Student Clubs & Activities

High School Activities

VHS offers students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of extra- curricular activities including:

BPA (Business Professional of America): The mission of Business Professionals of America is to contribute to the preparation of a world -class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.

Chamber Singers: The VHS Chamber Singers is a select choral ensemble that sings challenging choral literature from all periods in music history. These students are chosen by audition based on their citizenship, reliability, musical skill and leadership. The Chamber Singers participate in district and state choral festivals through the Michigan School Vocal Music Association and have received Division I superior ratings at both levels.

DECA: An association of marketing students. It is an extracurricular club that any student can belong to. We compete at the district level in December, the state level in March, and the International level in April. Competition consists of role-playing and tests that are related to a specific occupational area. DECA provides students with a variety of professional and social experiences.

Drama Productions: The Vicksburg High School Drama Department puts on two productions every year. Our Fall Play is open to anyone in the school who is interested in auditioning. The Spring Musical is done in collaboration with the Music Department and is also open to anyone who is interested in auditioning. No experience is necessary to participate in either of these two productions. Both productions offer students the opportunity to act on stage or work behind the scenes. It is an excellent way to meet new people, work with others to create a spectacular show and gain self-confidence.

Equistrian Club: Participants must have their own horse to be on the team (or have access to a leased horse). We practice a few times in the summer at Mike Fleetwood’s house in Vicksburg and at Kal-Val Saddle Club in Scotts. The group competes in the fall on 3 Saturdays at the Coldwater Fairgrounds. 17 Events include English, Saddleseat, Huntseat, Showmanship, Jumping, and Gymkhana. Members, ranging from freshmen to seniors. This club is not financially supported by the school, so some registration costs must be paid by the participant, and some fundraising may be necessary.

French Club: The French Club is an informal organization of student who wants to expand the activities in French beyond the classroom. The club participates in field trips to Chicago, French dinners & plays.

FFA(FutureFarmersofAmerica): The Vicksburg FFA is an integral part of the Vicksburg Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) program. As part of the Kalamazoo Education for Employment (EFE) Program, the Vicksburg ANR program serves all Kalamazoo County. Students from all over the country travel to Vicksburg to attend classes in Animal Science, Horticulture and Natural Resources. Students participating in the ANR program are encouraged to join the FFA to help them improve their leadership skills.

Interscholastic Sports: These are available to 9th-12th graders throughout the school year.

Jazz Ensemble: The Vicksburg HS Jazz Ensemble is comprised of students in grades 9-12. The ensemble is made up of approximately 30 students. The students meet three days per week (M-W-F), from 6:50-7:35am. The Jazz Ensemble performs at 4 concerts each year at VHS and at two jazz festivals. The band performs a variety of music, including swing, rock and Latin.

LINK (Freshman Transition Program): Is a freshman transition program that welcomes freshmen and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their high school experience. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed; Link Crew trains members of the junior and senior class to be Link Leaders. As positive role models, Link Leaders are motivators, leaders and teachers who guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school. After a spirited and interactive freshman orientation, Link Crew continues providing a variety of both Academic and Social Follow Up activities throughout the year. The Academic Follow Ups are lessons presented by trained Link Crew Leaders during visits to freshmen AE classes. These lessons are designed to give freshmen the skills needed to be successful during their high school years and beyond. Social Follow Ups provide social settings for the Link Leaders and their Crews to reconnect and further build relationships outside the classroom. The goal of the yearlong Link Crew transition program is to provide a structure in which students make real connections with each other. Through this program students learn that people at school care about them and their success.

Model UN (United Nations): Model United Nations is an opportunity to research and debate about current events through a different country’s point of view. We discuss topics such as global currencies and human rights. Our group travels to Hope College and stays the night to compete in their conference against many other schools in Michigan. It is a great way to learn about politics and how the real United Nations functions.

NAHS (National Art Honor Society): The purpose of the Vicksburg High School Chapter of the National Art Honor Society is to foster excellence and enthusiasm for the visual arts, recognize students who have shown outstanding ability in art, and bring art to the attention of the school and community through service and leadership. Students must meet the requirement of a 2.5 overall grade point average, at least two semesters of art, and maintained a 3.5 or better average in those art classes. Students are required to fulfill a community service activity such as volunteering at the KIA Art Fair. NAHS will also begin the promote school spirit by creating mural in hopes of raising school spirit. NAHS looks for students who also have strong moral character and leadership qualities.

NHS (National Honor Society): Membership in NHS provides high school students with a number of opportunities to serve their community, be recognized for their academic achievements and participate in an organization that promotes positive role models. Each member may take away something different, but each member is enriched by the experience. Chosen on the basis of scholarship, service, leadership and character, students must write an essay, maintain a GPA of 3.3+, volunteer in the community, provide leadership in school and community projects and demonstrate high standards of character. Each year NHS completes at least two whole chapter service projects: canned food drive and spaghetti benefit dinner.

Robotics: TBD

Simply Men: We meet every Tuesday and Thursday after school for an hour. We rehearse in preparation for performances in choir concerts, the Vicksburg Rotary Showboat, and competitions like the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s Solo and Ensemble and Choral Festivals. Simply Men has consistently earned first division ratings since its beginning in 2006. There will be one rehearsal with the group as an audition.

Ski Club: This is an informal group that goes skiing on Thursday nights at Bittersweet.

SkillsUSA: This national organization serves more than 250,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations. Also known as SkillsUSA, prepares America's high performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self- confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.

Spanish Club: Spanish Club promotes extra curricular activities, which take Spanish language/cultural learning out of the classroom into the community/world at large. Every other year Spanish Club offers a weeklong trip in mid-June to a Spanish speaking country (Spain 2003). Field trips (to Chicago, to local performances by Spanish dance/drama/music groups) are offered every year as ways of extending learning beyond the classroom. Spanish Club encourages students to become more informed about the role of Spanish language and culture in the world today through visits to restaurants, art exhibits, musical/theatrical programs, festivals, radio or television opportunities, etc.

Student Senate: This is a group of approximately 25 – 30 students who are elected from an application process that includes teacher comments to organize and sponsor a variety of events. Senate is in charge of the Blood Drive (community members as well as our 17+ age students are welcome to donate) and the March of Dimes Breadlift (students visit homes and businesses requesting money donations in exchange for a loaf of bread). The Senate also sponsors the Semi-formal dance in December as well as all the pep assemblies, all voting for fall/winter Homecoming Courts, most high school dances and teacher & student appreciation perks.

Teen Heart: A nonprofit, educational organization based in Kalamazoo to promote attitudes of self-worth and to further develop critical thinking skills. These elements can assist in the development of healthy adolescent lifestyles while promoting dialogue between teens, parents and educators.

Yearbook: Are you dedicated, enthusiastic, and motivated? If you are, you should join yearbook! Yearbook's objective is to create a visually appealing yearbook publication that captures the students' attention. We focus having a positive work ethic, being organized, and trying something new. If you are interested in joining, get an application from your guidance counselor.

YL-Lub: The yL-Lub Project VHS began in 2010 with the idea of forming a group focused on bringing more awareness towards the issue of bullying. The Club and the VHS administration were instrumental in celebrating a “National Day without Hate” in April of 2011. A student group was formed which meets weekly to discuss bullying issues and ideas to bring more awareness to the subject. The group has grown in terms of staff members and students. The yL-Lub Project VHS has brought in nationally renowned speakers to discuss bullying issues and how students can better the situation at VHS. The project has 5 main goals that focus on bringing more awareness and prevention to bullying. The group has made t-shirts for staff and students to help show support and awareness.

VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America): This national organization serves more than 250,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations. Also known as Skills USA, VICA prepares America's high performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. Skills USA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.

Winter Sports Teams:

Spring Sports Teams:

Middle School Activities

VMS offers students opportunities to make life-long friends and to get to know their teachers, school and community through the sharing of common interests. Students have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including:

Band, Jazz Band, Woodwind Ensemble, Choir

Offered as elective classes, these groups give performances several times each year as well as participate in regional festivals. Jazz Band offered to 8th grade students only.

Interscholastic Sports

All athletes are required by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) to have a valid sports physical along with emergency information on file in the school before they are allowed to tryout or participate in an interscholastic sport. A current- year physical is one given on or after April 15 of the previous school year. These activities include:

Football – 7th & 8th Grades

Cheerleading – 7th & 8th Grades

Competitive Cheer – 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

Girls Basketball – 7th & 8th Grades

Boys Basketball – 7th & 8th Grades

Volleyball – 7th & 8th Grades

Track – 7th & 8th Grades

Wrestling – 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

Girls Soccer – 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

Boys Soccer – 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

Cross Country – 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

After School Activities:

Art Club – Art Club meets every Thursday and is open to all grade levels. A small fee for supplies is due when members join.

Homework Club – Get extra help on school work! Monday and Wednesday’s, 2:35—3:30. Teachers and staff will be there to help.

MathCounts – MathCounts is a national program and its’ here at VMS. Meetings are once a week starting in December

Robotics Club – Meets Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Coding Club – Open to all 6-8 grade students. There are multiple choices for each student

to choose from: Game Design, Friends, Storytelling, Animation, Fashion and Design, Art, Social Media, Sports and Music and Sound.

CORE - Creating Opportunities for Real Expression – Open for 6th & 7th Grade girls to come and enjoy activities, snacks and discussions on peer relationships, bullying and other concerns in our community.

Student Leadership Council – Meets with staff advisors and helps to develop and run student activities.

Chess Club: Starts early November and is open to all students. Students come to learn and play chess.

Writing Club: For students who love to write and wish to share their writing with other students who love to write. Meets once a month.

Running Club: Meets Mondays and Wednesdays after the Cross Country season until Winter Break.

Indian Lake Elementary Activities

Battle of the Books: An opportunity for students to read a set list of books and compete against other teams and other schools on their knowledge of the books.

Student Council: Fourth and 5th grade students are elected to the student council to learn parliamentary procedure and promote school, community, and worldwide issues.

D.A.R.E.: This is a county drug prevention program that is presented to 5th graders for 1 hour per week over the course of 17 weeks.

Talent Show: The Student Council sponsors this school wide talent show.

Accelerated Reader: In this program, students read books and then take a computer test on their comprehension of the books. Points are awarded based on the level of the books.

Speech/Poetry Contest: Students are given the opportunity to compete in various poetry and speech contests. These contests generally give students a topic on which to write.

Track & Field Day: Third through 5th graders spend a fun-filled day outside participating in a variety of track and field events. K – 2nd graders have various activities for their half-day event.

Destination Imagination: An international organization where teams of students, along with a parent volunteer, use creative problem solving to develop life skills and imagination. A competition takes place each spring for the teams.

Celebration of Trees: Each year in December you will find an assortment of trees around the cafeteria. Students and staff are asked to bring in items for the different trees. The trees each have a theme (Humane Society, Food Bank, Toys for Tots, etc.). Students learn the importance of giving as the items are delivered or picked up by the different organizations.

Giving Tree: Each year in December students and staff are asked to bring in items for different organizations (i.e., Human Society, Food Bank, Toys for Tots). Students learn the importance of giving as the items are delivered or picked up by the different organizations.

Science Fair: Each spring students are encouraged to participate in the Science Fair. Projects range from volcanoes to which toothpaste whitens teeth best. Displays are set up throughout the school.

Grandparents/Special Persons Day: Our PTSO has an Ice Cream Social along with classroom visitation. Grandparents are free to visit their grandchildren’s classroom, have pictures taken and be served ice cream by our PTSO volunteers.

Peer Mediators: This program, run by our school counselor, involves pairs of 4th and 5th graders who assist other students in solving their problems/conflicts.

Sunset Lake Elementary Activities

Mile Club: All students in 2nd-5th Grade have the opportunity to sign up for Mile Club which runs one mile per week during recess time and members collect toe tokens for every mile completed.

Student Action Teams: Students are given leadership roles throughout the whole school. There are many jobs to choose from and students continue to have a say in which new jobs should be added.

Student Lighthouse: students BK-2 apply for a spot on this problem-solving team.

Battle of the Books: An opportunity for students to read a set list of books and compete against other teams and other schools on the knowledge of the books.

2nd Grade Economics Sale: Our 2nd graders, after studying a unit on economics, hold a sale the rest of the student body can attend. They learn about marketing, sales, production and expenses.

Track and Field Day: 3rd through 5th grade students spend a fun-filled day outside participating in a variety of track and field events.

Young Rembrandt: After school art class.

Beginning Strings: (viola, cello) before school.

Talent Show: Every other year students get a chance to display their talents for the school.

Choir: Meets before school and performs a few times throughout the year.

Book fairs: Once in the fall and again in the fall, students have the opportunity to shop at the Scholastic Book Fair.

Girls On The Run: Girls on the Run is a program from 3rd thru 5th grade girls to help encourage, create, and empower young women. The season ends with a county wide 5K run/walk.

Some of the other highlights that we have at Sunset Lake: Cross grade level buddies, Summer Reading Program and Community Service experiences – Partnerships with Local Agencies.

Tobey Elementary Activities

Battle of the Books: An opportunity for students to read a set list of books and compete against other teams and other schools on their knowledge of the books.

Kids to Kids Marketplace: Each year Tobey 4th graders do a Economics unit called Kids to Kids Marketplace. The students learn about supply/demand, as well as, production and marketing. Each student creates a product at home, sells it at school, and all proceeds go to charity.

Fab 5th Bank: Tobey 5th graders take part in the Fab 5th Bank. Student learn to write checks, balance a checkbook, buy and sell homemade goods and services - all to learn about the economy in a simulation format.

Tobey Community: Every week our school has an assembly we call Tobey Community. At Tobey Community Mr. Barwegen recognizes student and school achievements from the previous week and always talks about the importance of positive character traits.

Book Fair: The library works with a book company to bring in books for students to purchase. The profit from these fundraisers helps to purchase books and related material for the library.

Music Programs: Each school year our 2nd & 3rd grade and 4th & 5th grade do a music program.

Student Council: Fourth and 5th grade students are elected to the student council to learn parliamentary procedure and promote school, community and worldwide issues.

Talent Show: Student Council sponsors our school wide talent show.

Track & Field Day: This is a much anticipated event!! Third through 5th grade students spend a fun filled day outside participating in a variety of track and field events.

Girls On The Run: Girls on the Run is a program from 3rd thru 5th grade girls to help encourage, create, and empower young women. The season ends with a county wide 5K run/walk.